Two Plaquemines Parish Men Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARON WILLIAMS, age 47, and JOSHUA MACKEY, age 37, residents of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 24, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

WILLIAMS pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),  841(b)(1)(C), and 846, as well as possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).

MACKEY pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, a DEA investigation revealed that WILLIAMS and MACKEY were involved in a narcotics distribution conspiracy with several other co-conspirators between June 8, 2020, and June 5, 2021.  As part of the conspiracy, WILLIAMS regularly distributed quantities of methamphetamine.  Agents surveilled WILLIAMS as he conducted a hand-to-hand methamphetamine transaction prior to their making a traffic stop and seizing a quantity of methamphetamine from WILLIAMS.

Court documents further revealed that MACKEY regularly distributed quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine.  Agents executed a search warrant at MACKEY’s residence and  seized quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as an illegal firearm.

For each  drug offense, WILLIAMS and MACKEY face up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  For being a felon in possession of a firearm, MACKEY faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.